Back on the platform

[The_Train]

Not bad for a stint at the local Mr Train.

59102 in Stafford, bloody hell that is a bit of a rarity and very much required by me, can't be many times when any of that sub class, rock up in those neck of the woods.Them damn things avoid me or hide right over the back of Acton Yard, when I go looking for them. Them stupid number plates are an absolute nightmare to ID.

It was very unexpected and not sure what it was doing up this way. Shame it was one of the ones I'd seen previously at Reading though

 

[The_Train]

An exceptionally good haul on your Cheshire Day Ranger, especially so considering it's relatively local to you. With more winners producing at the local your needs must be looking quite good at the moment!

My day in Mersey/Northern land was more productive than I ever imagined but still lots to get up there so hopefully my next outing there will be equally productive

 

[xotGD]

My day in Mersey/Northern land was more productive than I ever imagined but still lots to get up there so hopefully my next outing there will be equally productive

Diminishing returns: If you saw half the fleet on your first visit, and you see half the fleet on your second visit, then on average you will have seen a quarter of the fleet on both visits, a quarter of the fleet for the first time on the second visit, and still need a quarter of the fleet for sight. And so it goes on....

 

[47403]

You may have to come further North, between York and Newcastle back via Carlisle, that may rope you in some errant ones from Northern.

 

[Kite159]

90 minutes (or so) at Middlesbrough will grab all the units on the Saltburn <-> Darlington/Bishop Auckland services, plus the hourly Nunthorpe services, then head up towards Newcastle for a few hours to capture other Northern units floating around, as well as any required 185s or LNER stuff

 

[The_Train]

You may have to come further North, between York and Newcastle back via Carlisle, that may rope you in some errant ones from Northern.

90 minutes (or so) at Middlesbrough will grab all the units on the Saltburn <-> Darlington/Bishop Auckland services, plus the hourly Nunthorpe services, then head up towards Newcastle for a few hours to capture other Northern units floating around, as well as any required 185s or LNER stuff

I've been considering alternatives to Donny to try and grab my remaining LNER stuff and I'd thought of York but is Newcastle likely to be more productive in terms of offering Northern stuff as well?

 

[47403]

Plenty units to see, nowt on Leeds scale but if you got a Tees Tyne Day Rover, you could probably get all what's floating round. At Newcastle you'll see the odd GB Shed, 60s on the Lynemouth turns, perhaps a colas 70 if the Oxwellmains-Seaham Cement runs that day, the evening turn from Donny to Millerhill normally produces a clockwork cat(88),plenty blunts(91s) and zings(HSTs) XC voyagers and 185s. With bouncing bombs, 156s and the odd 158 has been kicking round too. If the Kingmoor-seaton flask train runs that day, get to Metro centre for about 13.45, it's normally a pair of clockwork cats but can be a pair of cats, even a mix of the 2 (68/88).
On the Tees side of things you may get a couple of GB Sheds working from Tyne Dock, down the Durham Coast and stuff out of Tees Yard, also the 180s on Sunderland-kings Cross turns.

 

[The_Train]

Going Locomotive at Leicester - Friday 22nd March 2019

No real reason for making this move other than I was bored and it is a relatively cheap and easy outing so off to the East Midlands I went. It started with dud for everything 350369 hauling me off to Nuneaton where on route I was able to nab 170635 as it sat at Rugeley Trent Valley, this taking me down to 19 units to find on the WMT network (well until the 172s arrive properly anyway). Upon arrival into Nuneaton I made a quick check on RTT but there was no freight activity due before my train to Leicester departed so I headed straight across to platform 7. The Birmingham bound train arrived into P6 first and it made for a good sight as 170521 became the final XC 170 into the book and left me needing just 43207 to complete the full XC set. To maintain an element of order 170522 arrived soon after to offer my power to Leicester. A winner for haulage and also offering the express service to Leicester, I was soon arriving at my destination for the next few hours.

My start at Leicester was met by a couple of duds but I got across to platform 3/4 just in time to see duds 47815 and 47813 performing a shunt move around the depot
ROG 47815 and 47813 shunt around the yard at Leicester L.I.P by The_Train

Little did I know at this point just how much loco action would be on show today but 66767 was seen not so long after as it ran a Bletchley to Peak Forest Cemex working before dud EMT 153326 arrived into P4 with 153318 in tow. A working that had caught my eye on RTT that morning was a running from Laira TMD to Ely which I'd figured to be another HST set heading to its potential grave and it had seemingly chased me from Nuneaton to Leicester as 43024 powered through with 43025, both being duds but I did require all of the coaching stock
A final farewell? by The_Train

As nice a sight it was to see a GWR HST in the East Midlands, it was equally as much a sorry sight to see such a legend of the UK network heading off lease. However, an ex GC set powered by 43480 and 43484 made for a better sight with buffers and all as it worked towards Derby
EMT HST power car 43480 at Leicester by The_Train

I'd caught word of issues on the MML (seems to always happen when I head into this neck of the woods) before I departed and it was apparent that a few services were not getting through and those that were, were running particularly late. The staff at Leicester were doing a sterling job at keeping everyone informed though, it has to be said. I'm not sure if the next working i saw is a regular move or one that came about because of the issues, but it was certainly an unusual sight to me to see a pair of dud 222 Meridians crawling through the slow line as they ran ECS from Bedford to Etches Park
EMT 222008 and 222019 at Leicester by The_Train

Another HST set came and went with more dud power cars in the form of 43055 and 43059 and only the coaching stock to go into the winners book.....
43055 arrives into Leicester by The_Train

....before 66722 became yet another dud shed as it worked cement wagons from Chruchyard to Ketton Ward
66722 at Leicester by The_Train

As expected after previous successes in the EMT area, winners were proving hard to come by but 43064 did break the run of duds as it headed northbound with 43043. More dud shed action next but it was a nice sight and finally an opportunity to bag a photo of 66413 as it ran light to Crewe
FLR 66413 passing Leicester by The_Train

66082 also added to the dud list before there was suddenly a mass of action in the depot with 47727 "Edinburgh Castle" being first to poke it's nose out having recently become part of the GBRf setup and painted in Caledonian Sleeper livery
47727 in the yard at Leicester by The_Train

56098 also made a brief appearance showing off her large logo grey livery of yesteryear
56098 working around the yard at Leicester by The_Train

And finally 47749 wasn't going to be left behind as she also made her way onto the Leicester L.I.P catwalk to show off her new GBRf livery whilst also giving me a well needed winner
GBRf 47749 at Leicester by The_Train

This little flurry of activity in the yard was also being replicated on the mainline as well as 66604 crawled through with a Theale to Hope cement working to give me a quick fire double but the next shed couldn't make it a treble as 66711 became yet another dud. The disappointment of a dud is sometimes removed when it is a good looking dud, as was the case here
Colourful 66711 at Leicester by The_Train

Another EMT unit was chalked off next thanks to 156497 but another dud HST set was next into P3 with 43066 and 43050 at the helm
43050 sits at Leicester by The_Train

With the evening rush approaching, things had started to slowly get back to normal on the MML but an increase in services making it to Leicester did not improve my winner count and a 2 hour run of duds ensued with only a photo opportunity of 43043 breaking the monotony as it worked towards the capital with 43064
EMT 43043 at Leicester by The_Train

The 2 hour slog of duds was broken by yet more action in the depot and this was an extra special surprise as 33053 made its way onto the catwalk before reversing back into the yard
33053 makes an appearance at Leicester by The_Train, on Flickr

43089 and 43047 passed through with a full set of required coaching stock before an STP engineering train came through with 66080 hauling it's rake from Toton to West Hampstead. Dud 66601 passed through with the regular Dagenham to Hope working and it was this dud that made my mind up to head back to Nuneaton so it was aboard 170109 for the first time for the short hop back to the other side of the Midlands.

I was met at Nuneaton by 70010 passing through with a container working to Felixstowe before 66139 flew through P2 with the Dagenham Dock to Mossend Dock car train. Shortly after this added bonus 221107 and 221110, both dud for everything, arrived to take me on the short jaunt back up the WCML and to the warmth of my apartment.

Not the busiest day in terms of winners but nice to finally clear that last XC 170 and also the amount of classic traction on show made it a worthwhile trip out. Full list of sightings below:

33: 33053
43: 43024, 43025, 43043, 43044, 43047, 43050, 43055, 43058, 43059, 43064, 43066, 43089, 43480, 43484
47: 47727, 47749, 47813, 47815
50: 50008
56: 56098
66: 66080, 66082, 66139, 66413, 66601, 66604, 66620, 66701, 66711, 66722, 66727, 66747, 66767
70: 70010
153: 153318, 153326, 153366
156: 156473, 156497
158: 158770
170: 170107, 170108, 170109, 170110, 170397, 170521, 170522, 170635, 170637, 170638, 170639
221: 221107, 221110
222: 222001, 222002, 222003, 222004, 222006, 222007, 222008, 222013, 222014, 222016, 222017, 222019, 222020, 222021, 222022, 222023
350: 350233, 350369
390: 390118
OTMs: DR79501

The outing is summarised below:

For Sight

Winners: 38 (including 27 coaching stock)
Classes completed: N/A
Sub classes completed: XC 170 fleet

For Haulage

Winners: 2
Total Mileage: 91 miles 48 chains
Classes completed: N/A
Sub classes completed: N/A

 

[xotGD]

27059??? Looks like a 33 to me...

 

[Iskra]

Going Locomotive at Leicester - Friday 22nd March 2019

No real reason for making this move other than I was bored and it is a relatively cheap and easy outing so off to the East Midlands I went. It started with dud for everything 350369 hauling me off to Nuneaton where on route I was able to nab 170635 as it sat at Rugeley Trent Valley, this taking me down to 19 units to find on the WMT network (well until the 172s arrive properly anyway). Upon arrival into Nuneaton I made a quick check on RTT but there was no freight activity due before my train to Leicester departed so I headed straight across to platform 7. The Birmingham bound train arrived into P6 first and it made for a good sight as 170521 became the final XC 170 into the book and left me needing just 43207 to complete the full XC set. To maintain an element of order 170522 arrived soon after to offer my power to Leicester. A winner for haulage and also offering the express service to Leicester, I was soon arriving at my destination for the next few hours.

My start at Leicester was met by a couple of duds but I got across to platform 3/4 just in time to see duds 47815 and 47813 performing a shunt move around the depot
ROG 47815 and 47813 shunt around the yard at Leicester L.I.P by The_Train

Little did I know at this point just how much loco action would be on show today but 66767 was seen not so long after as it ran a Bletchley to Peak Forest Cemex working before dud EMT 153326 arrived into P4 with 153318 in tow. A working that had caught my eye on RTT that morning was a running from Laira TMD to Ely which I'd figured to be another HST set heading to its potential grave and it had seemingly chased me from Nuneaton to Leicester as 43024 powered through with 43025, both being duds but I did require all of the coaching stock
A final farewell? by The_Train

As nice a sight it was to see a GWR HST in the East Midlands, it was equally as much a sorry sight to see such a legend of the UK network heading off lease. However, an ex GC set powered by 43480 and 43484 made for a better sight with buffers and all as it worked towards Derby
EMT HST power car 43480 at Leicester by The_Train

I'd caught word of issues on the MML (seems to always happen when I head into this neck of the woods) before I departed and it was apparent that a few services were not getting through and those that were, were running particularly late. The staff at Leicester were doing a sterling job at keeping everyone informed though, it has to be said. I'm not sure if the next working i saw is a regular move or one that came about because of the issues, but it was certainly an unusual sight to me to see a pair of dud 222 Meridians crawling through the slow line as they ran ECS from Bedford to Etches Park
EMT 222008 and 222019 at Leicester by The_Train

Another HST set came and went with more dud power cars in the form of 43055 and 43059 and only the coaching stock to go into the winners book.....
43055 arrives into Leicester by The_Train

....before 66722 became yet another dud shed as it worked cement wagons from Chruchyard to Ketton Ward
66722 at Leicester by The_Train

As expected after previous successes in the EMT area, winners were proving hard to come by but 43064 did break the run of duds as it headed northbound with 43043. More dud shed action next but it was a nice sight and finally an opportunity to bag a photo of 66413 as it ran light to Crewe
FLR 66413 passing Leicester by The_Train

66082 also added to the dud list before there was suddenly a mass of action in the depot with 47727 "Edinburgh Castle" being first to poke it's nose out having recently become part of the GBRf setup and painted in Caledonian Sleeper livery
47727 in the yard at Leicester by The_Train

56098 also made a brief appearance showing off her large logo grey livery of yesteryear
56098 working around the yard at Leicester by The_Train

And finally 47749 wasn't going to be left behind as she also made her way onto the Leicester L.I.P catwalk to show off her new GBRf livery whilst also giving me a well needed winner
GBRf 47749 at Leicester by The_Train

This little flurry of activity in the yard was also being replicated on the mainline as well as 66604 crawled through with a Theale to Hope cement working to give me a quick fire double but the next shed couldn't make it a treble as 66711 became yet another dud. The disappointment of a dud is sometimes removed when it is a good looking dud, as was the case here
Colourful 66711 at Leicester by The_Train

Another EMT unit was chalked off next thanks to 156497 but another dud HST set was next into P3 with 43066 and 43050 at the helm
43050 sits at Leicester by The_Train

With the evening rush approaching, things had started to slowly get back to normal on the MML but an increase in services making it to Leicester did not improve my winner count and a 2 hour run of duds ensued with only a photo opportunity of 43043 breaking the monotony as it worked towards the capital with 43064
EMT 43043 at Leicester by The_Train

The 2 hour slog of duds was broken by yet more action in the depot and this was an extra special surprise as 27059 made its way onto the catwalk before reversing back into the yard
27059 makes an appearance at Leicester by The_Train

43089 and 43047 passed through with a full set of required coaching stock before an STP engineering train came through with 66080 hauling it's rake from Toton to West Hampstead. Dud 66601 passed through with the regular Dagenham to Hope working and it was this dud that made my mind up to head back to Nuneaton so it was aboard 170109 for the first time for the short hop back to the other side of the Midlands.

I was met at Nuneaton by 70010 passing through with a container working to Felixstowe before 66139 flew through P2 with the Dagenham Dock to Mossend Dock car train. Shortly after this added bonus 221107 and 221110, both dud for everything, arrived to take me on the short jaunt back up the WCML and to the warmth of my apartment.

Not the busiest day in terms of winners but nice to finally clear that last XC 170 and also the amount of classic traction on show made it a worthwhile trip out. Full list of sightings below:

27: 27059
43: 43024, 43025, 43043, 43044, 43047, 43050, 43055, 43058, 43059, 43064, 43066, 43089, 43480, 43484
47: 47727, 47749, 47813, 47815
50: 50008
56: 56098
66: 66080, 66082, 66139, 66413, 66601, 66604, 66620, 66701, 66711, 66722, 66727, 66747, 66767
70: 70010
153: 153318, 153326, 153366
156: 156473, 156497
158: 158770
170: 170107, 170108, 170109, 170110, 170397, 170521, 170522, 170635, 170637, 170638, 170639
221: 221107, 221110
222: 222001, 222002, 222003, 222004, 222006, 222007, 222008, 222013, 222014, 222016, 222017, 222019, 222020, 222021, 222022, 222023
350: 350233, 350369
390: 390118
OTMs: DR79501

The outing is summarised below:

For Sight

Winners: 38 (including 27 coaching stock)
Classes completed: N/A
Sub classes completed: XC 170 fleet

For Haulage

Winners: 2
Total Mileage: 91 miles 48 chains
Classes completed: N/A
Sub classes completed: N/A

Wow what a day for locos. How come GBRF/CS need a 47 for the sleeper? And cracking job getting a 33 for sight.

 

[433N]

How come GBRF/CS need a 47 for the sleeper? .

Good one, The_Train.

You do know that if you walk up to the bridge, and then down the little snicket where loads of dinnerladies are having a fag (at the back of a college, I believe), you can ID alot if not all the stuff on LIP.

It's a good question on the CS 47s. They used to be up here all the time when they were with Colas , GBRF buys them , paints them in CS livery and then keeps them at Leicester LIP.

 

[The_Train]

27059??? Looks like a 33 to me...

Haha, not sure what I was thinking when I came up with 27059. It's probably proof that multi tasking just isn't a good trait for blokes. It is in fact 33053 and I have amended the detail accordingly....I think!!

 

[The_Train]

Wow what a day for locos. How come GBRF/CS need a 47 for the sleeper

It's a good question on the CS 47s. They used to be up here all the time when they were with Colas , GBRF buys them , paints them in CS livery and then keeps them at Leicester LIP.

No clue from me either as my understanding was that these 47s would be residing at Leicester on a permanent basis but the livery would suggest GBRf have plans for it away from the East Midlands

 

[The_Train]

Good one, The_Train.

You do know that if you walk up to the bridge, and then down the little snicket where loads of dinnerladies are having a fag (at the back of a college, I believe), you can ID alot if not all the stuff on LIP.

I've been told that a trip to the bridge with a pair of binos would help to ID everything on LIP but not heard of the area you speak of. I generally prefer the excitement of spotting stuff that comes off there.....takes me back to my days at Crewe as a kid

 

[47403]

That was a canny day out Mr Train. Especially seeing a 33. Though I'm not sure if it was 33035 or 33053, I'll put it down to excitement.
I must get down to EMT land, need a few of their dogboxes, 156411 and one you saw on the day 222013(clearance cannons would sound if I saw the latter 2) and boatloads of EMT HST stock.
Always plenty 47's kicking around Leicester, love the pic of 47749, I do love a domino headbox 47.
As usual a good read, Mr Train, few cops, however they come is always a good thing.​

 

[Kite159]

A good day at Leicester

 

[87electric]

I've been told that a trip to the bridge with a pair of binos would help to ID everything on LIP but not heard of the area you speak of. I generally prefer the excitement of spotting stuff that comes off there.....takes me back to my days at Crewe as a kid

Well when stuff doesn't come to you, you have to go to it. I just had a depot bunking nostalgia moment then.

 

[pieguyrob]

Not as easy in today's world as it used to be. Security fences, CCTV and rent-a-cop's. Back on topic a good day out there Mr. The Train. A 33 and 50 in Leicester. Unheard of in the past. It is one of the good things about privatisation. Seeing random stuff away from their traditional stomping grounds. Still getting used to 319's in Blackpool!

 

[Techniquest]

Nice work on the XC 170 clearance, hopefully 43207 will be along soon to get the TOC cleared for you!

43024 and 43025 going for store there sent me into nostalgia for a moment, I remember clearing one of them (memory is hazy!) a few years ago for 1,000 miles by just 4 chains on a mandatory move home. Hard to believe the days of full-length HSTs on mainline workings on the GWML is nearly over. Yes we have the GTi sets but they won't be the same. Excuse me a moment while I enjoy some memories...

47727 and 749 are ex-Colas aren't they? Same for 56098 I seem to recall. Took ages for me to remember why those numbers sounded familiar! 33035, that number I can't remember why it sounds so familiar though. Got to be one I've seen, but where I can't recall.

As for multi-tasking, speak for yourself! This bloke can manage multi-tasking pretty well!

 

[The_Train]

That was a canny day out Mr Train. Especially seeing a 33. Though I'm not sure if it was 33035 or 33053, I'll put it down to excitement.
I must get down to EMT land, need a few of their dogboxes, 156411 and one you saw on the day 222013(clearance cannons would sound if I saw the latter 2) and boatloads of EMT HST stock.
Always plenty 47's kicking around Leicester, love the pic of 47749, I do love a domino headbox 47.
As usual a good read, Mr Train, few cops, however they come is always a good thing.​

I've had a mare with the 33 haha. It was definitely 33053 (well according to the info I picked up from others there as it didn't come out far enough to actually see the number). It was actually this discussion that created my mixing this up with 27059 as apparently it has been on LIP, although later info would suggest it's in Leicester somewhere but not necessarily at LIP.

It's the depot that keeps me going back to Leicester to be honest as there is always something good that pops out. I still need a few more HSTs and units from EMT as well but edging closer to completing them

 

[The_Train]

Nice work on the XC 170 clearance, hopefully 43207 will be along soon to get the TOC cleared for you!

Took me long enough to nab that last 170 considering the time I've spent at Nuneaton and Tamworth haha. I'm sure 43207 would have flown past me at Tamworth at some point in the past, just need to grab it when it's on a stopper so I can see the number haha.

43024 and 43025 going for store there sent me into nostalgia for a moment, I remember clearing one of them (memory is hazy!) a few years ago for 1,000 miles by just 4 chains on a mandatory move home. Hard to believe the days of full-length HSTs on mainline workings on the GWML is nearly over. Yes we have the GTi sets but they won't be the same. Excuse me a moment while I enjoy some memories...

It's not nice seeing these heading to the abyss. Memories will be all we have soon enough and missing many years of these whilst I was away from the hobby will always be a regret.

47727 and 749 are ex-Colas aren't they? Same for 56098 I seem to recall. Took ages for me to remember why those numbers sounded familiar! 33035, that number I can't remember why it sounds so familiar though. Got to be one I've seen, but where I can't recall.

Indeed, the 2x 47s are ex Colas and there is one more due up to Leicester which is also ex Colas. It was at Eastleigh when I was at Leicester so could very well be in the East Midlands now. I'm not 100% sure on 56098 but my gut feeling is that you're right. Lovely livery wherever it came from. The 33 was 33053 and not 035....I've had a bit of a problem getting this one down correctly haha.

As for multi-tasking, speak for yourself! This bloke can manage multi-tasking pretty well!

You're surely in a minority here. At least my memory is still ok though as I never even wrote down 27059 (as I never saw it), it was something that just came up in discussion.

 

[Techniquest]

Definitely one of the few blokes who can multi-task! Not brilliantly most of the time, as I am easily distracted, but I can do it!

As for 33053, that number doesn't immediately ring a bell either. Sounds like a former preserved loco, but I really can't remember.

HSTs soon being nothing but memories is right, they got me into the scene back in 2003 and their imminent end of mainline service just feels weird to me. I've known it's been coming for 5 years, I made my official farewell to them in Swansea (where it all started) back in 2014, or whenever it was I did my Kent Rover trip. Even so, the withdrawal of HSTs conjures MANY memories...

 

[D841 Roebuck]

33053 was preserved at the Mid Hants Railway a few years ago - and rather entertaining when powering up the hill.

33035 seems to be a regular on the Diesel Gala circuit in the last couple of years. Also a fine performer.

 

[Techniquest]

Hmm, perhaps I've not seen either 33 after all, I did one years back out of Duffield although I confess to forgetting which one. Think it was a 33/1.

 

[47403]

33035, I believe is or at least it was on the Wenslydale Railway, forgive my ignorance, as to wether it's still remains there. It was most certainly on the SVR Diesel Gala roster in 2017, I had it a couple of times on the day. So Tech you would've seen it, if not running, certainly kicking round squire.
Here's a pretty crap pic of it with 73107, at Bridgnorth, which if I remember rightly, was it's partner all day on the opening day.
Nice loco but It wasn't as thrashy as 33108 was on the day.

 

[Techniquest]

Ah yeah I had forgot what was at that gala to be honest. Too long ago now

 

[The_Train]

Couple of updates from the local at the end of March to bring me up to date as I have nothing to report from April......thus far anyway.

A few moves caught my eye on RTT on Monday 25th March so I ventured off to the local for a few hours but without too much luck. A light engine move from Wembley to Crewe was the first thing that tempted me out but it was very uninspiring to see the very dud 90045 pass by and tbere was little else to cheer when another light engine move, this time between Peterborough and Crewe, transpired to be dud 66420. However, a fee minutes later and finally a winner as 66778 came by working the evening Toton to Crewe engineers train
A sun-kissed 66778 passes Stafford by The_Train

The TPE mileage accumulation run for today turned out to be the same set I'd seen the previous week as 68026 came through with set TP09 in tow
TransPennine Express liveried 68026 passes Stafford by The_Train
MK5A DTSO 12809 at Stafford by The_Train

I decided to hang around to check out what was working the Garston to Dagenham car empties as it had been swapped quite regularly since the 92s disappeared again. This time it was winner 66735 which doubled my tally of winners for the day. There was one more potential with the Crewe to Hanslope Jct working but this was dud 66953 so I took this as a sign and decided to venture home.

66: 66416, 66420, 66510, 66546, 66570, 66733, 66735, 66772, 66778, 66953
68: 68026
90: 90045
220: 220001, 220014, 220020, 220033
221: 221102, 221103, 221106, 221107, 221109, 221110, 221112, 221124, 221128, 221136, 221137, 221140
350: 350102, 350118, 350120, 350124, 350238, 350241, 350249, 350255, 350259, 350264, 350375, 350376
390: 390001, 390005, 390009, 390016, 390040, 390044, 390045, 390046, 390049, 390104, 390117, 390126, 390130, 390134, 390137, 390138, 390141, 390148, 390155
TPE Mk5a DTSO: 12809
OTMs: DR80201

A few days later on the 29th, I decided to head onto the platforms for an hour or so on my way back from town. This allowed me to see the regular 90 workings that occur during the middle of the day but as most of my required 90s are sat rusting at Crewe, all 4 of them were duds. In fact everything I saw was dud except for a couple of track machine workings as DR73116 went into the book as it worked from Crewe to West Ealing Sidings before DR79273 and DR79263 joined it as they operated from Holbeck Loco Sidings to Westbury Down T.C.

A couple of visits and another 5 winners which meant my March figures finished as below:

For Sight

Winners: 205 (including 28 coaching stock and 38 trams)
Classes completed: N/A
Sub classes completed: XC 170 fleet

For Haulage

Winners: 13
Total Mileage: 281 miles 40 chains
Classes completed: N/A
Sub classes completed: N/A

 

[The_Train]

West Midlands Day Ranger - Friday 12th April 2019

A tedious week left me feeling the need to end it by actually leaving my apartment and doing something. But what to do? Funds wouldn't allow me to head out to any location that would be beneficial for the book of sights so I decided to do something that I don't usually do and enjoy a day on the rails. That just left a decision to be made between a Cheshire Day Ranger and West Midlands Day Ranger and this battle was won by the West Midlands, mainly because this ranger can be started at my local so no need for other tickets and also for another reason of which you'll understand more as you read on.

I concocted a plan late on Thursday evening and was at Stafford station at just after 0830. With my ticket purchased I headed across to P4 with no need for coffee as an early alarm gave me time to have a bucket load at home. I was aiming for the 0901 XC train to Paignton as my opening haulage which gave me time to see dud 66542 haul containers southbound before 220020 became my first haulage winner of the day
220020 arriving into Stafford by The_Train

It was pretty cosy on the Voyager but, despite a number of people congregating in the vestibule, I was able to find a seat next to a chap who I quickly ascertained to come from outside of the UK as he questioned me on how long it would be before we arrived into Birmingham. My best guess on the accent is that he was Canadian....I just hope he made his way around Birmingham New Street ok. Anyway back to the journey and for the first time I was able to spy a loco sat at the steel terminal in Wolverhampton and it turned out to be red DB 60062 which became my first winner for sight of the day. The usual hold up outside of Wolverhampton station had meant the on-time service had drifted to being around 5 late into Birmingham so by the time I'd arrived onto the concourse the screens were showing that my next haulage was already in the boarding process. I decided to just head towards this on P11 and whilst time allowed me to mark down a couple of dud 323 units, I was soon on my way back out of England's 2nd city aboard 170505 on a service towards Hereford. I decide to jump ship (well train) at Worcester Foregate Street and await the next ex Paddington service to complete my journey into Hereford. This was still pathed as a HST on RTT and I had something in the back of my mind which was telling me they still existed on this route but I was ultimately disappointed and excited in equal measure as 800302 snaked around the bend and into the station. My first experience of these new trains and I was impressed with the ride quality (I created an allowance for the slightly rougher ride over the single track sections) and also with the acceleration even whilst in diesel mode. I would have to agree with all of those that have commented on the poor quality of the seats, definitely appears that GWR have taken the cheap option with them. After going past winner for sight 165102 at Malvern Link, the lone carriage outside of Great Malvern station (what's that all about???) and enjoying the superb views on offer we were soon into Hereford
A whole new world for GWR....... by The_Train

170505, which I leapt from on route, was just departing back towards the big city and shortly after I arrived TfW 175111 arrived as it headed from Wales to Manchester
TfW 175111 arriving at Hereford by The_Train

My time at Hereford was not planned to be long and I headed over the footbridge and onto platform 3 in readiness for a return on 800302 which had headed out of the station before reversing back to form the return service to the capital. I could have waited for different haulage but decided to enjoy the IET again as they are not trains that I will see all that often so it was back towards the Midlands but not before we were offered some light humour as the train manager explained that he'd received no reservation information and asked all customers if they could 'be nice to each other and not fall out over seats'. Was hardly likely upon leaving Hereford as there was plenty of space, but one problem I did encounter as we approached Worcester Shrub Hill was the fact that 9 car trains are too long for a lot of stations (certainly between Hereford and Worcester anyway) and I had to trek through 3 carriages to find one that I could alight from. Some simple announcements of this at Hereford would have alleviated such a problem surely as I could have boarded on a more suitable coach. I did, eventually, make it off the train at Shrub Hill where I spied another winner for sight as 166211 came by working towards the South coast before I boarded 172221, not required for sight or haulage, for a trip to Stourbridge Junction
WMT 172221 sits at Worcester Shrub Hill by The_Train

This journey took me nicely past the Severn Valley depot at Kidderminster where I was able to ID 33108 and 40106 which were parked up. I'd budgeted some time for a trip to Stourbridge Town if 139002 was out but unfortunately it was 001, which I've already ridden on, so instead I jumped onto 172344 which was waiting to form a service to Stratford. I'd planned to head to Moor Street on this but there was no real purpose to this move so I jumped off at Smethwick Galton Bridge and descended down to the lower level platforms where I had a little wait for my next move which allowed me to witness 158836 along with winner for sight 158828 as they headed towards Birmingham. I considered jumping on these myself for a short trip to New Street but they were very busy so I decided to let them go and wait for 350370 to arrive which I would stick with until the end of its journey to Walsall. The main purpose of this trip was to head through Bescot but it was Duddeston (there must be a lot of history at this place what with a number of disused platforms and also what appears to be an old depot of some sort) that offered up winners first as the great 170+153 pairing yielded rewards as 153365 and 170506 went into the book of sights before I nabbed a Bescot gronk as 08670 was chalked off along with DB shed 66030. 60062, seen earlier at Wolverhampton, was also parked up there. I also caught sight of 66731 as we headed towards Walsall whilst it worked the Clitheroe to Avonmouth cement train and then dud FLR 66539 as it was being loaded at Breedon Cement. Walsall station is a bit dark and non-descript so I only alighted to make sure that staying on the same train would take me back towards Birmingham. It was a very short turnaround and soon enough 350370 was propelling me back through Bescot and having swapped which side I was sitting on I was able to spot a few sheds that had eluded me on the way in. Unfortunately 66111 and 66057 were duds but 66083 was another DB loco to be chalked off. There was little to see on route back to New Street except for my first sighting of the work going on around Curzon Street which I assume is an indicator that HS2 is coming? There was also little of note around the darkness of the bat cave until I got some HST action as 43366 lead 43357 into P8 on route towards Glasgow
XC HST power car 43366 at Birmingham New Street by The_Train

I spent another 15 minutes or so wandering around the platforms and was very happy to pick up 170633 as a winner for sight along with 323208. Edging closer to completing the WMT fleet (minus the incoming 172s of course). There was little else to shout about so it was over to P10 to join the throngs of people awaiting the XC service to Guildford which duly arrived as 4 car 220013 and despite the masses alighting it soon filled up again. The usual gathering in the vestibule suggested there were no seats available but I took a chance on a reserved seat and as no-one appeared to take it I remained here until the next stop at Leamington Spa which was my next destination and I'm sure you can all guess why
XC 220013 paused at Leamington Spa by The_Train

I'd held off the coffee quite well but I was tiring now and needed the caffeine so after a quick PNB I headed across to the Pumpkin and couldn't resist trying the cookie crumble latte which I must admit went down an absolute treat as I sat awaiting my next traction. Before I was back on a train, 168217 went into the book of sights but it was all about the next haulage and it's what I was looking forward to the most. I headed down the platform to position myself to board the front carriage, just as I heard that unmistakable growl as 68015 arrived into the station. Unfortunately it was dud for everything but this wasn't going to remove any of the fun and having been pushed on my previous journey, I was looking forward to feeling the power as the big cat pulled us back North. She didn't let me down as she growled and purred all the way and it did make me chuckle slightly when I realised that the coach nearest this awesome machine was designated as the 'Quiet Coach'. Not only was I loving the sounds on offer, but the route also took me past the depot at Tyseley where I was able to tick off the first of the ex LO 172s as 172002 was at the front of a mass of 170s. There was nothing else to see and before I knew it, the journey was at an end as we arrived into Kidderminster
Chiltern Railways 68015 at Kidderminster by The_Train

Arrival at Kidderminster allowed me to note down a full set of coaching stock that was required for sight along with 82301 which was required for haulage (no DVT debates please haha) I'd hoped that I might be able to see more of the Severn Valley stuff from Kidderminster but that's not really the case (I could some the roofs of some coaching stock being shunted around but nothing else) so a mental note is made to visit there sooner rather than later. I didn't have too long to wait at Kidderminster anyway as 172333, required for haulage, and dud for everything 172340 arrived for a hop back to Smethwick Galton Bridge. I had 2 options for Cat action out of Leamington and opted for the earlier option and whilst I was heading back to Smethwick the later Cat went past and it was DRS liveried 68005 with 82303 at the rear. A missed opportunity maybe.

Another missed opportunity was down to my laid back approach to reaching the low level platforms at Smethwick Galton Bridge as I arrived onto P3 just in time to see a pair of 158s departing towards Birmingham (my next destination) which left me with a 20 minute wait. This delay did allow me to nab another winner for sight though as 158832 arrived into P4 with 158818 in tow
TfW 158818 paused at Smethwick Galton Bridge by The_Train

The next Birmingham bound service was another Wolverhampton-Walsall train and each time I've done this route it's been a 350 so I was pleasantly surprised to see 323216 arrive to take me on the 4 mile jaunt back to New Street. Being a Friday evening, the service was pretty noisy but we were soon back into the gloom of the bat cave. I had options for my final move, one of which was an hour fester which would allow me to grab a bit of HST haulage with a journey home via Tamworth but having received information that neither of these power cars would be 43207, the final piece of my XC jigsaw, i decided that a late stay at New Street on a Friday night is probably not going to leave me with good memories. So having bagged 170514 for sight I decided to jump aboard 390117 which was heading to Crewe with a stop at Stafford to complete my day out. 12 hours after my first departure of the day, I was back on home soil having enjoyed a good day around the Midlands. A summary is below:

For Sight

Winners: 24 (including 6 coaching stock)
Classes completed: N/A
Sub classes completed: N/A

For Haulage

Winners: 10
Total Mileage: 283 miles 73 chains
Classes completed: N/A
Sub classes completed: N/A

 

[xotGD]

Sounds like you had a great day. Although it does sound like you should have dropped back for the second 68.

All part of the fun!

 

[47403]

Not a bad day out at all there Mr Train, though I'm not sure if the 33 you saw at the SVR was 33106, I could be wrong but it would've been 33108.
Still you roped in a few for the book of sights. Nice to get some cat action in too.